From Biggest Loser 5 winner, Ali Vincent and BiggestLoserclub.com

On the ranch everyone who is up for elimination has to pack all their bags. If they are the one chosen to go home, they are not allowed to return to the living quarters--it is a horrible feeling. Even though I was the season 5 Biggest Loser, don't forget that my mom and I were eliminated in the fourth week of our season before I came back to the ranch later.

What really sucks is although it’s not over till it’s over, you know, walking up to the elimination room, who is more than likely going home. You know, by the way, that the others around you have a lighter feeling to them. I remember when we were walking to elimination how some of the teams were actually joking around and laughing. Or how some people barely pack anything, because they know that, although they are up for elimination, they were safe.

In these last couple of episodes, I would have hated being both Amy C. and Amy P. waiting to see if their loved ones were going to return to the room or not. Or being Shellay and wanting to give Amy one last hug after the reality of the exit interview hit, and she realized she was really leaving the ranch.

Facing Fear
I liked that Bob and Jill took their teams off ranch to do something different. One important part of really changing our lives is finding fun and exciting things to do that involve being active and also teach us something, like the self defense course that Bob's team tried. They got a workout but they also learned how to protect themselves.

And then Jill with the ropes course! I don’t know if any of you have ever done one, but they are amazing! (We should get the Biggest Loser Club to put together weekend where we all get together and really talk about our goals and then do activities like a ropes course, that would be fun.) Ropes courses tend to be really exhausting because you have to face your fears. Yes, there are actual fears like Coleen's fear of heights, but it’s also confronting the fears that prevent us from having EVERYTHING we ever wanted in our lives. There is power in recognizing fear and doing it anyway; it’s liberating to acknowledge it but not let it stop you.

Have you ever seen those t-shirts out there that say “NO FEAR”? Well, my mom Bette Sue used to say they should read “KNOW FEAR” because it’s then that dreams happen. I personally think that’s it, when you have the courage to tell the truth about what you are really afraid of.

I wasn’t ever afraid of working hard in the gym and spending all the time it took to prepare and track my calories or having to decline certain invitations that didn’t support my goal. I was afraid that if I really did reach my weight-loss goal and all the things in my life that I thought I didn’t have because of my weight still didn’t happen, what would that mean? You see, although my weight is what I felt held me back in my life, it was also what protected me and what got to be my excuse for not having the relationships in my life that honor me. I mean, how could I have that, when I didn’t honor myself?

Digging Deep
So in the process of losing and letting go of my weight/protection I needed to tell the truth. I looked at my past and my present and painted the picture of my future. By digging deep I was able to acknowledge the times in my life that I was really proud of. In doing that I had to also acknowledge times that I wasn’t.

It wasn’t easy to admit that maybe it was my fault that a relationship didn’t work or that I wasn’t promoted because of my attitude, not my image. It wasn’t easy, but it was liberating. I realized that because a lot of times in my life I felt like the “victim” (if you will), there was no room to change the situation. But once I dug deep and told the truth, I realized I wasn’t a victim, and I was able to acknowledge and forgive myself for my role and let go of it. I was carrying around years of pain and feelings of being “less than,” and I didn’t need to anymore. I realized that I was a strong woman, and I am capable of creating my destiny, that I choose.

Can I just say APPLAUSE to Renee for really just sticking with it finding her focus and pace, I watched her and I thought…… she can win this ( the Biggest Loser, that is J) And good job to Coleen on 8 pounds, you go girl!

--Ali

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The fourth week on the ranch is so crucial. It’s do or die. It’s the time you know you can physically make it through this process but have to ask yourself, do you have it deep within to tell the truth? To be on the ranch and under such physical and emotional strain, it shows through. It is when you have to know you are there for the right reasons and willing to get to the end--the “end” being your goal--your perfect you.

That’s why I think it is so important that Jillian took the time to have a one-on-one with Coleen so that she could be clear why she is on ranch. It’s funny, ‘cause with your parent on the ranch, it can distract you (and I do believe Jerry being on ranch was good and bad for Colleen), and they also get to be your excuse on some level.

Coleen will miss the comforts of having her dad be there for her and her for him, but she has an amazing opportunity to really come into her own. She has it in her to be and create whatever it is in her life she wants. The ranch will be the springboard to finding out what she really wants.

Stepping Up
I think you will start to see who will be there in the end; it’s those who step up even when it’s uncomfortable. It took a lot for Vicky to pull Bob aside and admit that she feels as if Brady sometimes holds her back. It’s hard to admit that and then address it because you don’t want to invalidate your relationship. I know that probably 9 out of the 10 times Vicky thinks Brady is holding her back when he is probably feeling like he’s helping her or protecting her or whatever the case might be. That’s why these tough conversations are crucial when going through a process like this together on the ranch and at home.

Challenges always leave opportunities and awards. I wonder, especially considering it being week 4 and the fact that the contestants have expressed their concerns about the weigh-in, whether or not they really were interested in redeeming their first week challenge prizes. I know our season was so competitive that we would think redeeming the award sometimes was a disadvantage in regards to competing in the weigh-in that week. But usually no matter what, we were always thankful--like Amy and Phillip.

To be able to see their kids after 4 weeks without any communication except for the call that was given to them after the challenge that Heba and Ed won. I suppose it was bittersweet to then have to leave home after 24 hours. I think in the long run it will be exactly what they need to keep going, especially after actually feeling comfortable taking the family hiking. That truly is what all this is about, to be able to live life with our family and friends.

Challenge: Mind Over Matter
The challenge this week looked kind of scary when they first walked up to it. You could see everyone thought so just based on the facial expressions. I personally thought it looked like fun. Definitely better then the balancing beam we did during our fourth week. I will admit though that the balancing beam seemed like it was easier then this particular challenge. I know that I would be sore if I had to hold on like Amy and Vicky for 2 hours. It is mind over matter; there is a place you can go if you really want something that takes everything you have physically, that allows you to withstand the pain. And I could tell that they both went there. Then it’s just a matter of who wants it more.

I’m sure Amy realized on some level that Vicky was not going give up because she was determined to hear from her kids. Well done ladies :) I think it was right for Vicky to choose the purple team to share the packages with, although I must admit I wasn’t certain that’s who she was going to choose.

Jillian Exercises Her Lungs
I know first hand the depths to which Jillian will go to get her players to realize this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and they’d better give it everything or go home. As a contestant, you realize this woman is not going to cut your hands off, but you also know that if you don’t do what she says, she will make you pay. And if that doesn’t work she will make everyone around you pay.

I know that you guys sitting at home probably haven’t ever thought that Jill was being overly nice or kind to the contestants, but I have to admit watching the season so far I was like “why hasn’t she….. (fill in the blank)” on a number of occasions. I think she has had it with her team, and it isn’t working for her to let certain attitudes slide--not because she particularly likes being mean or yelling at the contestants (ok maybe she likes it a little :)) but because she is willing to take herself and her need to be liked out of the equation to help her team get the results they say they want.

But you can only take people so far. They have to want it for themselves. It’s not easy breaking down the walls that have protected so much in life—those walls have protected the contestants but have also prevented them from truly having all they desire. I’m glad Jillian went off on them. If she did, it’s because it needed to be done. She only gets like that because she cares. (But I will say it’s scary when she yells like that, even if it’s not directed at you!)

Twists and turns. Can’t wait till we see who will fall below the line and how they will determine who stays, I’m so glad mom and I never had to experience that.

--Ali

It’s funny how even when on The Biggest Loser there are unexpected road trips. Typically when traveling, it is difficult for anyone to stay on track. I remember being stressed out when I had to pack my meals for the day on the ranch--yet alone a road trip. When Alison said that the contestants were going to the Grand Canyon my first thoughts were exactly that, what were they going to eat? How long were the going to be in the car and not working out? Being that it was only the third week I wondered how much they were going to do on their own. As it turns out, I’m not quite sure they even realized that how much they were going to have to be creative in their workouts.

The first few weeks on the ranch Bob and Jillian usually do a lot of what I would have considered PE (from when you were in elementary school) workouts. We did a lot of stuff outside in the outdoor gym that my mom coined the “prison yard.” Both Bob and Jillian had us doing circuits that included jumping rope (without actual rope), jumping jack, squats, lunges, sit-ups, push-ups, planks, leg lifts, the dreaded mountain climbers, and running. Bottom line is, as long as you are moving you are losing.

When there is no gym in sight, you can still work out and burn the calories you need to burn.

I was surprised that the teams seemed to feel very limited to what they could do, especially since they did have some workout tools such as medicine balls and resistance bands. Yes, it is easier to come up with exercises to do in the gym, but you can still get your heart rate up even just running in place.

I really liked how Jillian’s team started throwing the ball around the circle. That is what it’s about: encouraging everyone to work together. Although you do have to pay attention when it’s coming towards you as Renee quickly found out! :(

Navigating Convenience Stores
When I first left the ranch, I tried to stay out of convenience stores as much as possible, until I felt more solid in making the “right” choices and resisting the temptation of all the junk food. But believe it or not, in a jam, you can make a good choice even at a corner convenience mart. They obviously don’t have a huge selection of healthy stuff, but they have some stuff for the most part. You can usually find nuts, fruit, gum, and depending on the neighborhood the mart is located in you could find a selection of protein bars and even string cheese. All of which can support you in getting what you need and staying on track. I will say though, whenever possible, just preplan so you don’t have to be limited in your food choices.

The Grand Canyon is beautiful and I love the desert. I know that in the future, all the contestants will look forward to having experiences like this and make them get in as much activity as possible. They won’t need a challenge and a chance to win an RV to get physical. I can’t believe poor Amy C.--she was going strong for a second then stopped dead after her mom finished dumping all the rope into the water. I must admit I was giggling to myself, especially when Amy kept telling her mom to quit holding onto the rope and her mom kept yelling back “I’m not!” as she continued to feed the rope into the water--not even thinking maybe that was the issue. Sounds like something my mom and I would do.

A Father’s Love
I was glad to see that Coleen and Jerry passed up on the temptation and learned their lesson that nothing is worth time on the ranch--not a night in a luxury RV or $10,000.00, ‘cause the ranch is an opportunity for health. I believe that everything happens for a reason and although Jerry and Coleen had to be in the horrible position to choose between each other on who stays and who goes, I know that health is the number one priority for them; that’s what resisting temptation means.

I had no doubt that Jerry was going to be the one that was going home out of the two. Jerry loves his daughter too much to take away an opportunity that is too important to her. I hope that he will continue his journey, because it sounds like what she wants most is to have her dad walk her down the aisle some day.

Till next week, Ali xo

www.alivincent.com

Special to BiggestLoserClub.com

Well, here we go, I still cannot believe that it is week two of a new season. It seems like just yesterday that Mom and I were on the ranch. Every week on the ranch brings the good and the bad.
The second week is definitely a little easier, mostly because we had at least that first week to get somewhat situated. We at least realized that Bob and Jill were committed to make each new day harder than the previous. That no matter how sore we were, we would survive another day.

We knew that every day we would continue to have to ice new parts of our bodies and that we would face new challenges be it a temptation, challenge, or Bob and Jillian in the gym. Yes, typically week two does not have the results on the scale that the first week does, but I’m here to tell you, it’s just as Bob said, that our bodies are in shock because each week we are push harder than the week before.

I remember the first week I lost 19 pounds and the second week, although there was a bit more of a routine, and I was able to push myself harder and felt more comfortable staying with in my calories budget, I only lost 3 pounds. Although in Biggest Loser terms that might not feel like a big number, a 3-pound weight loss in one week is incredible. I promised myself that I would celebrate every pound I lost. I know I beat myself up for every pound gained. So I was going to celebrate every one on the way down. :)

After the first elimination there is definitely a shift in the energy on the ranch. REALITY HITS. You realize that each week someone is going home and that someone could be you. Every person that steps foot on the Biggest Loser ranch NEEDS to be there. I remember thinking that mom and I were going to fall below the line that first week. There was a bit of a rumor floating around that the other teams had decided that the Pink team (mom and I) and the Purple team (Maggie and Jenn) were going to be the two teams that everyone thought would fall below and if that was the case they were going to send Pink home. Apparently some of the other teams didn’t like Mom’s personality. Luckily they didn’t get that option. Mom and I not only did not fall below but we ended up with the second highest percentage of weight loss.

Ironically enough, the Green team (Lynn and Jenni) was the first team to be sent home during season 5, as well. I felt bad because Jenni really wanted to stay but Lynn basically asked the group to send them home. I was really close with Jenni in that first week because both of us had our parents with us, and we were both struggling about how to support yet push our parents at the same time.

Emotions Surfacing for Michelle
I really related to Michelle as we saw her start to open up and acknowledge some of her feelings and emotions in regards to her mother and the divorce of her parents. I was glad to see that she is having the courage to dive in and really deal with some of the issues that might be causing her to hold on to resentments and feelings of being unworthy and abandoned that all too often come as a product of divorce.

I know for me, years I unconsciously tried to fill voids in my life with food. Once that’s no longer there, you are forced to deal with some of the emotions that cause you to overeat in the first place. That definitely seems like what Michelle is working through now.

I was glad to see Jerry was feeling better. I know that Jerry is there for Coleen but I think he now realizes how dire it is for him to get healthy so that he can continue to be there for her. I think that although Coleen may continue to have to participate in challenges by herself, seeing her dad feeling better will allow her to concentrate on herself. The only way for everyone on the ranch to truly make changes for themselves is to be able to take the support from their partners but also release from them and themselves from the responsibility of their loved ones. By regaining control of themselves they will be able to actually love and support their partners more. I know that this is probably the most challenging part, the understanding and knowing that in order to truly give to others, you have to be able to give to yourself first.

Speaking of Coleen and Jerry, let’s talk a bit about the temptation…… REALLY?!!!! I can’t believe anyone bet on the temptation first of all. No amount of money is worth risking your chances to stay on the Biggest Loser Ranch. Secondly, why Coleen would risk the health of her father and her chances to stay on the ranch is beyond me. I hope she learned her lesson because next time she might not be so lucky as to get to stay. I would never have risked the gift and opportunity of being on the ranch.

Rocco’s Recipes
Rocco’s back! I have to tell you this man is truly into trying to come up with new ways to try and make the dishes we love in a calorie budget we can handle. One of my favorite things since being on The Biggest Loser is finding new ways to make the stuff I love. I love Mexican food. So now I make tacos with corn tortillas, ground turkey and top them with cabbage, pico de gallo, sliced avocado (easier way to count calories) and salsa. I serve it with a black bean and quinoa side. Yummy! Makes me want tacos right now!

I never used to cook before I arrived on the ranch. I hope that Amy takes advantage of her years worth of groceries and starts exploring the kitchen more. I liked the way Rocco took the contestants that don’t usually cook and put them in the kitchen. I use to be intimidated at the thought of cooking because I thought I needed to learn how and I never learned how because my Mom rarely had time to. What I realized is that cooking is about experimenting, so I chose to have fun with it rather than being intimidated by it. The worst-case scenario is if it doesn’t work out, I can try something new.

As for the weigh-in, I know that LT was a taster in the challenge as opposed to a preparer. I hope he didn’t taste too much and that was what may have lead to his weight gain. I was completely surprised to see him gain weight but I was proud and believed him when he said he was going to return as our at home winner. I hope he does it, good luck LT.

Ali Vincent, Season 5 Biggest Loser winner

Watching the premiere episode of season six brought back so many memories for me. I know exactly what the contestants are feeling because I was in their shoes not too long ago! I was glad to hear this season was going to be families. I remember walking onto the ranch the first day and wondering if I was really ready for the experience. Having my mom right there with me was comforting. We believed in each other, no matter what. So it’s great that these contestants have someone they know, love and trust with them on this journey.

The first steps of the experience are truly overwhelming. You get on the scale for the first time and have to face your reality and then head right into the gym for the most intense and treacherous workout of your life. I remember being on the treadmill the first workout wondering when it was going to end. Six hours later, when it did end, we still had homework – additional time in the gym – to complete before the next day.

With that workout comes a flood of emotions, too. You want to be there, but it’s so hard and exhausting. Your body starts to breakdown and you have Bob and Jillian screaming at you. There is no time to ease into the situation. When Jillian was telling Jerry there are two ways to do things – her way or her way mad – that’s no joke. She means it. Heba hit it right on the nose when she told Ed there is no tomorrow. On the ranch, you’ve got one shot and that’s today.

It made my heart stop to see Jerry fall off the treadmill. It took me back to when my mom fell off. You worry about the person you love and wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but in that same moment, you know there is no other place you should be. Like Coleen, I was not only saving my life, I was helping save the life of my parent.

Aside from the utter exhaustion from the workouts, the biggest surprise for me when I arrived at the ranch was the fact that there wasn’t a chef. For some reason, I was under the assumption someone would be preparing these lavish, healthy meals for us. Boy, was I mistaken! After working out for up to eight hours a day, we had to prepare our own meals. I remember many nights when my mom crawled to bed and I would take her food to her. We had to eat to keep our energy level high, but it was tough to do. I didn’t even know how to cook before The Biggest Loser! I was a fast food junkie. And then there are so many steps to eating healthy…weighing the food, preparing the food…I wanted fast and easy. But fast and easy is what put me at 234 pounds.

Watching the episode, I can’t help but wonder if they are going through the same experiences I did. Is Michelle taking food to her mom? Is the pink team in the same bedroom? Are Michelle and Renee, as well as Amy and Shellay, feeling the pressure that comes with being mother-daughter, female teams? There is definitely a buzz in the house when a female team is still in the game. It always seemed like it was expected for the women to fall below the line. Hopefully my victory last season changed that thought process.

So here are my thoughts on the Season 6 contestants…

Pink Team – Michelle & Renee – I don’t know if it’s the color of the shirt or the fact that they are mother and daughter, but I have soft spot in my heart for the pink team. People always said my mom and I could be twins. The same goes for Michelle and Renee, don’t you think? Through this journey, hopefully they will be able to support each other not only as mother and daughter, but as two women fighting the same battle. I see the fire in Michelle’s eyes. She is a force to be reckoned with. Even Jillian recognized that in week one.

Purple Team – Amy & Shellay– Amy has such a dynamic flare that could take her all the way to the finale. I’m not sure if Shallay is there for herself as much as she is there to support Amy. I know my mom insisted in week one that she was there for me. By week three, she knew she was there for herself. I hope it doesn’t take Shellay three weeks to figure that out.

Yellow Team – Coleen & Jerry– Although Jerry has some obstacles with his health, he seems so determined to do whatever it takes to push forward for Coleen. Watching the episode, I wanted to jump through the TV and protect Coleen when she was sparring with Jillian. I remember those days! Both Bob and Jillian will pick the stronger person in the duo and push him or her even harder. I hope Coleen is ready for it.

Grey Team – Tom & Tom– These guys have an advantage for sure. Like Roger and Trent last season, they are big guys with a lot of weight to lose. If they have the energy, drive and desire, they could definitely be major players until the end. The Biggest Loser ranch not only requires that you give 100 percent, but that you improve on that each day. Even if the odds are stacked in your favor, belief in yourself and determination are what will set the winner apart from the rest of the contestants.

Orange Team – Ed & Heba – I can’t believe they fell below the yellow line! I love Heba. Her energy and ability to have fun even in the most grueling moments will take her a long way. She may be the biggest girl on the scale, but she may also have the biggest heart. And heart is what determines the winner of this game. Ed is going to have to step up to the plate to keep up with Heba.

Brown Team – Vicky & Brady– Holy cow! Over seven percent weight loss. Are you kidding me? I think sometimes what appears to be disadvantage turns into a positive. Knowing they had the two additional pounds added to their total, I’m sure they really stepped it up in the gym. It shows a lot of character. I wouldn’t be surprised if this couple made it all the way to the finale.

Green Team – Adam & Stacy– It’s hard to be the first to be sent home. I’m sure Adam and Stacy are wondering if they got enough information in one week to change their lives. They hardest part is over though. They told the truth and whether you’re on the ranch or at home, the time is now. You have to get healthy. Plus, you never know when The Biggest Loser is going to add a twist and give you the opportunity to come back. That worked out pretty well for me!

Red Team – Phillip & Amy – Phillip and Amy are making this change for themselves and their kids, as well. That extra motivation could be the difference for them. Plus, they can use their skills as real estate agents to form some alliances in the house. This is, after all, a game.

Finally, let's talk about the weigh-in. Every time you stand in front of the big scale, you wonder if you did enough to stay above the yellow line and if not, are you going to be able to convince people in the house to keep you on the ranch for another week. The first weigh-in out of all of them, you really don't have an idea on what to expect. No one who comes to the ranch has paid attention to their weight in years, so you don’t have a gauge.

It was so fun to watch the excitement on the contestants’ faces as they watched their new numbers pop up. Heba skipping back to her spot was an amazing moment. I remember seeing 19 pounds come off my total that first week. It was an out-of-body experience. All of the people who weighed in before me pulled huge numbers and the doubt started creeping in. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes because I was so nervous and scared. Then to see that huge number come up for me, I was ecstatic.

I’m excited to watch this season through a whole new set of eyes and share my thoughts and feelings with you as these contestants go through their journey. Judging from the first episode, we’ve got some determined and motivated people for season six. Should be a lot of fun!

Believe It. Be It.

--Ali

www.alivincent.com